Late June Tampa Bay Fishing Report &amp; Scallop Season Starts!

June is Tarpon season in Tampa Bay, Fl and that's what we have been focused on as of lately. Tarpon fishing at the mouth of bay has been outstanding, but it is coming to a close for most. Fishing along the beaches from Clearwater pass to Boca Grande Pass has been good, as well as inside of Tampabay. Snook fishing has also been good around the passes and beaches. Redfish are starting to show back up in the areas I am fishing, and Sharks and black drum have also viable targets. Scallop season starts this month as well!

Tarpon fishing started strong off strong during the first week of June, but tapered of as the month progressed. We were still able to get on a few fish every day, but it hasn't been as easy. The fish have spawned for the most part, and are moving back into the passes, beaches, and into the bays. Tarpon fishing will remain productive until October. Fishing with artificial's will get better as the fish will become more aggressive, but live bait still will be the best option for most anglers.

Inshore Snook, Redfish, Mackerel, and Snapper have been keeping the lines tight for the anglers that haven't wanted to tangle with the Silver king. Red fishing has seemed to be improving in the areas of the bay that I have been fishing and most of the fish have been over slot, cut bait has been the most effective with the heat. Snook fishing in the passes and along the beaches has been good. Live pinfish, grunts, sardines, and bucktail jigs will all produce fish. Snapper and mackerel are also been making a showing on almost every trip inside of Tampa bay.

For anglers looking to tangle with a some larger fish the sharks and black drum have been the go to species. Sharks have been everywhere lately and they have been all sizes from 18” to 18'. Most of the sharks we have been targeting are black tips in the 3-5' range. Sharks are not only a great fight, but they are also awesome to eat. Around the bay bridges black drum have showed up and they can't resist half a blue crab on the bottom, most fish are ranging 25-50lbs.

Scallop Season Starts this month! If you haven't been scalloping I highly recommend giving it a try. Scalloping is a great family activity, and a great way to avoid the heat while enjoy the water and catching dinner. Scalloping can be done from Pasco county north. All you need is a dive flag, snorkel, mask, fins and a mesh bag. Scalloping typically is done in water 3-8' depth of water over the grass beds. The limit is 2 gallons per person, and 10 gallons per vessel. If you would like to give it a try I will be running Scalloping charters out of Homosassa, Fl for the entire season starting in July, So give me a call and lets go scalloping!